If you would like to retrace the steps of some of the world’s most famous explorers, Crater Lake National Park is the trip for you. To this day, it offers some of the most incredible boating, horseback riding, biking and hiking trips in the country. As a matter of fact, to truly appreciate its beauty, all you need to do is stand still and soak everything in.
Have you ever wanted to see a spot that looks like God’s hand held the paintbrush? This is it. This is home to the deepest lake in the United States. The water itself is something to behold, but the 2000 foot high mountains around the perimeter of it will absolutely take your breath away.
As you travel around the area, you will find that the area itself was formed well over 7,000 years ago from the eruptions of Mount Mazama. It has created some incredible land formations that have only improved over the years. There may not be a place in the United States that has a better scenic view.
If you are in the mood for a challenging bike ride or want to take the easy way out and use your car, you could make no better choice than to travel the 33 miles that go around the area. Bring your camera with you as you are going to come upon over a dozen locations that you will want a memory of. The images that you will take will be worthy of hanging in a museum.
Hikers will also love this area as there are plenty of locations that are one-of-a-kind trips that you cannot come close to duplicating anywhere else. Cleetwood Cove Trail is a trail that just about anyone should be able to travel. If you are careful and walk quietly, you will probably be treated to a roadside feeding from some of the wildlife that occupies the area.
For those that are up for more of a challenge, try making the 800 foot climb to Wizard Island. The volcano that exists on the island has an opening that that you can look down into and see what makes up the inside of a volcano. Luckily, you can do this without having the danger of it erupting.
When you want something even more challenging, you can take on Mount Scott. This 9,000 foot climb is sure to test your lungs and your legs. This is not a spot for the inexperienced as it possesses some of the most challenging twists and turns in the park. However, the risk is well worth the reward as you can see all the way to California from Mount Jefferson or Mount Shasta.
With all of this riding and hiking, you are eventually going to want to take a break. You can sit back, relax and do a little fishing at Fumarole Bay. Don’t worry about packing your license for this fishing whole and catch as much as you need for dinner as there are no limits either. If all of this doesn’t make you want to get out in the wild for a few days, nothing will.
